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She's Growing Up Too Fast - STOP!!

By Donna Harris

Real Estate Agent with Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com 0480809

September 21, 2011 09:23 AM

How do you get kids to eat things they don't want to, and is it bad to stop them from learning how to spell? My daughter, Alyssa, is "three and three quarters" as she says. Taking after me, she doesn't want to eat anything that isn't pasta. I love pasta and would live off pasta, so I understand, but she's a kid and needs proteins and other nutrients.

alyssa nicole Last night, I actually tried to give her a choice. I know, giving a 3 year old a choice isn't the best move, but I figured she would eat it if she picked. I offered her either the rotisserie chicken (like what mommy was having) or the left over chicken strips from daddy's lunch to have in addition to Pasta Roni. Of course, she wants only the Pasta. I made an executive decision that she would eat some grilled fish I had in the freezer. Omega 3's are good for her. I tell her that she will have Tilapia. She doesn't know this word, but it sure was fun to say over and over again.

Alyssa: What's Tilapia?
Me: Something yummy, you'll love it!
Alyssa: Is it chicken? I don't want chicken!
Me: No, it's not chicken, it's Tilapia.
Alyssa: Do you like Tilapia?
Me: Daddy and Landon love Tilapia!
Alyssa: Do you like Tilapia?
Me: It doesn't matter because I'm having chicken!
Alyssa: Oh... I don't think I like it...
Me: You haven't tried it yet, you'll love it!

20 minutes later, when she finally takes a bite, she says, "This tastes like fish!"
Me: Really? That's strange because it's Tilapia. Do you like it?
Alyssa: It's ok.

Mike was working, so as he now joins us for dinner, he asks what she's eating, and Alyssa tells him Tilapia. He looks at me and I smiled big. He asked me what she was eating, and I said Tilapia, and she likes it, as I smiled bigger at her.

Mike: What's she really eating?
Me: F-I-S-H.
Alyssa: No, Tilapia starts with T, Mommy!!
Me: You are so right, Alyssa. Sometimes I forget how to spell some words...

Later, at bed time, Alyssa tells Mike that her "chicken" tasted a lot like "fish"... Nothing is going to get past her... I thought I wanted her to learn to spell and read, but now I'm not so sure... She's growing up too fast like everyone warned me about, and she needs to S-T-O-P!!

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate

and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way.

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** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* She's Growing Up Too Fast - STOP!! * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

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Michelle Francis

Tim Francis Realty LLC - Atlanta, GA

Realtor, Buckhead Atlanta Homes for Sale & Lease

Donna,

Thanks for the humorous moment and reminder. We find the kids are way too smart for our own good.

My youngest middle name is Noodle. Thank goodness at 12 he is finally branching out.....

I started using organic milk and my daughter was totally disgusted. So, I did a taste test for her, although she didn't realize I filled both cups with the organic milk. She was not happy to realize she liked the one organic better than the identical other cup of organic.

Now at 16, 14 & 12, we've had to grow to cell phone tracking apps to confirm locations! Enjoy the learning to spell and eat phase. We now can't keep any food in the house at it literally disappears the first day (sometimes hour) it arrives:-)

All the best, Michelle

Sep 21, 2011 09:43 AM

Michelle Francis

Tim Francis Realty LLC - Atlanta, GA

Realtor, Buckhead Atlanta Homes for Sale & Lease

Donna,

Ok - just thought of something else. I am trying to learn to like Salmon. We bake it in the oven about 30 minutes to cook it through. Then I take equal parts white vinegar and red raspberry preserves (like 2 tablespoons each) and whisk it together. We then drizzle it over the salmon. Gives it a less fishy taste... she might like it.

All the best, Michelle

Sep 21, 2011 09:45 AM

Donna Harris

Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX

Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Brenda, I find it funny that she thinks I tricked her with chicken!

Michelle, I don't care to try to learn to like any seafood. I think it's smelly and gross. I try a bite every so often to smile big so Alyssa will eat it, but I will not eat a serving. That's why I didn't answer her question about whether or not I like it and I put it off onto Daddy, the baby, and me not eating it. I'm not sure a sauce would work because she doesn't really like sauces on things, but I guess it doesn't hurt to try. She'll be having CHICKEN tonight!

Sep 21, 2011 09:54 AM

Rita Fong

RE/MAX REAL ESTATE TODAY, Executive Broker 901-488-9590 - Marion, AR

Realtor - Marion Arkansas Homes for Sale

Donna, once they know how to read and spell, you can't keep any secret anymore, lol. I love daily stories like this, just priceless.

Sep 21, 2011 10:04 AM

Donna Harris

Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX

Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Rita, My husband can do pig latin, where you switch the first and last letters or something like that. I tried to do it for about 5 minutes and gave up, but maybe I need to try it again...

Sep 21, 2011 10:07 AM

John Juarez

The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA

ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

I have two granddaughters, 6 and 4.5 years old, who will eat mac & cheese every day if given the chance. What is it with small ones and pasta?

Sep 21, 2011 10:15 AM

Mary Stewart

HomeTrust Real Estate, LLC, Homes for Everyone - Wilsonville, OR

Wilsonville and Surrounding Portland Metro Areas

What a great story. Children are so darned smart and can see between the lines, they may just not know how to express it. I did really like when she said it tasted like fish you said it was Tipalia, brillant. Did not last long and I can safely say that they do grow up so fast and time seems to slip away. The more you grow in your years, the faster time will fly away, until it can become a blurr if you are not careful. Savor every moment you have with her and record all you can.

Sep 21, 2011 10:27 AM

Deb Brooks

Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

It does not take long for them to be grown and gone. I don't blame you for wanting to stop time. She is gorgeous like her mommy and will soon be saying, "What's Next?".

wait...

"Now what?"

correct me here...

Sep 21, 2011 10:30 AM

Digital Digital

Alachua, FL

full service

Hi Donna,
Thanks for sharing this lovely story.
Once you can't spell anymore around kids, that's how you know they are learning.
By the way, you’re close to your Million point mark!
Keep up the good work.

Sep 21, 2011 02:02 PM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Donna, it seems like only yesterday that you were blogging from the delivery room! She is growing up.

Sep 21, 2011 04:08 PM

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Absolutely adorable. Could you stuff that pasta with Talapia or F-I-S-H or Chicken or....you get the idea.

Margaret

Sep 21, 2011 04:13 PM

Amanda Christiansen

Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN

Christiansen Group Realty

I love tilapia. :) Cute post and your daughter is getting prettier and prettier. Love it.

Sep 22, 2011 01:28 AM

Donna Harris

Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX

Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

John, Mine too! Everyday it's about mac and cheese or plain pasta!

Mary, It only works until she knows Tilapia is a fish...

Deb- "Now What?"

Wandanna, Thanks!

Pat, I know, I know!

Margaret, She's had tortalini with chicken, and that does work...

Jared, Thanks!

Sep 22, 2011 04:17 AM

Ellie McIntire

Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD

Luxury service in Central Maryland

Alyssa is keeping you on your toes. What a smart little girl. We are already past the spelling it out phase too. 5 years old going on 45.

Sep 22, 2011 02:54 PM

Sharon Alters

Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL

Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Donna, children do grow up so fast! Enjoy every moment and you will have a treasure house of memories. Alyssa is one precocious little girl - takes after her mom :)

Sharon

Sep 22, 2011 03:44 PM

Donna Harris

Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX

Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Corinne, Yes she is...

Ellie, She comes home from Pre-K with "vocabulary words" that they learn to spell... I'm in so much trouble!

Sharon, Thanks!!

Sep 23, 2011 04:10 PM

Kasey & John Boles

Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID

Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

Smart cookie! Knowing tilapia starts with a T is pretty good. I love the photo and the non-matching shoes. -Kasey

Sep 23, 2011 06:17 PM

Karen Anne Stone

New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Real Estate

Donna: This is absolutely adorable... but so is Alyssa. Just like her Mom. What a cute story. Nicely done. And yes... sometimes you love it when they learn something new... like starting to spell. But... as you found out... it makes it much harder to get stuff past her. Darn.

Great picture. Alyssa is so darling in her little pink tutu'ish outfit. I hope you are taking mega videos of her as she grows up. You can call it "The Alyssa Channel."

You should do a WordPress Blog exclusively just on her. The Alyssa Channel. Whaddya think ? "suggested"

Sep 23, 2011 07:32 PM

Karen Anne Stone

New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Real Estate

Donna, I just read what you said to Michelle about fish being "smelly." Ya know how to keep fish from smelling, don't ya ? Cut off their noses. <old joke, I know, but I am old... so what do you expect ?>

By the way... I love fish... and Tilapia is one of the most BLAND fish I know of... so there should not be very much of a fishy smell to it. Salmon, which I also love, has a very distinct smell. I love baked salmon. And baked catfish as well. But, then again, my entire life has always been kinda fishy. I do what I can... LOL.

Sep 23, 2011 07:38 PM

Donna Harris

Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX

Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Kasey, The non-matching shoes are her trademark at school...

Karen Anne, It was "Free dress" day at school so she wore her dance close. An Alyssa channel might be good... maybe I could do it on You Tube and make millions like 20/20 last night. As for fish, it's all gross to me. I just held my breath feeding Landon tuna... so gross!

Sep 24, 2011 05:59 AM